Need some advice on budget

[mekia2001]

We leave Friday night and we are driving straight through and staying off site. I have been going over our budget for the last few days because I have nothing else to do! We aren't going to WDW until Monday because after the long drive that will take us well into Saturday evening(we plan to take some rest breaks) we just want to relax Sunday and enjoy the pool and maybe go out sightseeing and have dinner.

So I am thinking of limiting our spending for the first couple of days that we are actually at the park. I want our DD's (10 and 5) to buy something they really want and not the first thing they see. Is $125/ day realistic? I was thinking of setting this limit for Monday and Tuesday and then upping it as the week goes on. We aren't doing any ADR's until Thursday and we plan on leaving the park for lunch, so dinner might be eaten at the park.

I am open to small fluctuation but I don't want to go and be careless and spend $500 in one day. DH agrees with everything I say so I need an outside opinion. And dinner suggestions as well!

 

[worm761]

That sounds very doable. What I did with my son at those ages was set a limit and give him small amounts each day. So $10 a day. Then we went to DTD and did a big shopping trip before we left. He has always been told that he can spend it all the first day or save for something bigger.
Does your 125 include food? or is it strictly souvenirs? I may change my mind if that is the food budget too.

 

[Kat&Dom]

We leave Friday night and we are driving straight through and staying off site. I have been going over our budget for the last few days because I have nothing else to do! We aren't going to WDW until Monday because after the long drive that will take us well into Saturday evening(we plan to take some rest breaks) we just want to relax Sunday and enjoy the pool and maybe go out sightseeing and have dinner.

So I am thinking of limiting our spending for the first couple of days that we are actually at the park. I want our DD's (10 and 5) to buy something they really want and not the first thing they see. Is $125/ day realistic? I was thinking of setting this limit for Monday and Tuesday and then upping it as the week goes on. We aren't doing any ADR's until Thursday and we plan on leaving the park for lunch, so dinner might be eaten at the park.

I am open to small fluctuation but I don't want to go and be careless and spend $500 in one day. DH agrees with everything I say so I need an outside opinion. And dinner suggestions as well!

I think your plan sounds smart. I tend to budget per day and carry that daily amount in my wallet, if I don't spend it all, I put it towards the next day. I think that $125 is reasonable especially if you are not planning on soveniors being bought in the first couple of days. If you plan for 2 snacks each - you are looking at $30-$40. For dinner, CS will run you $45-$55 which still leave you with $30-$50. If your off-site accomodation includes a kitchen, $30-$50 to cover breakfast and lunch is more than enough. I hope you have a wonderful trip. I am like you, I am always crunching the numbers to make sure that I have thought of everything and have enough cash!

 

[StitchBuddy]

I always limited my DD's spending to last couple of days of our trip. Then, she was allowed 1 shirt and something else for no more than $25. That way she had time to look around before making her choice. As she got older she earned her own money to spend. But, I would give her an extra for snacks, so she could buy one when she wanted it or she could for go the snack and keep it for something else.

 

[Darcy03231]

We always do our shopping on the last day. I take pictures of everything the kids think they want during the week (including the price) and on the last day they get to spend their money. I found this really cuts out the "buyer's remorse" and keeps the budget in check.